The ABRSM
The ABRSM is a British educational institution with several strings to its bow and a worldwide arena to play in. Apart from providing practical and theory exams in more than 90 countries around the world, it is also a publishing company and a training provider. Every year more than 620,000 candidates take ABRSM music exams. ABRSM publishes sheet music, books, exam papers and syllabuses, and runs training workshops for music teachers worldwide. The ABRSM is not affiliated to My Music Theory in any way.
Exams
The ABRSM offers practical and theory exams in music. This website is all about theory; if you want to find out about the practical exams offered by the ABRSM, visit the ABRSM website.
Grade 5 Theory is a requirement for all candidates who want to take Grade 6 or higher in their instrument. (Grade 5 Practical Musicianship or Grade 5 Jazz are considered equivalent exams to Grade 5 Theory.) Grade 5 Theory is also considered to be equivalent to a GCSE in music.
Dates and Fees
Exam dates and fees vary from country to country, and the ABRSM has regional sites set up for many countries.
In the UK the next date for Theory Exams is:
Thursday 6th November 2008
The deadline for online registration is Friday 26th September 2008.
The fee for Grade 5 Theory in 2008 in the UK is £26.10.
Resources and Materials
Click here to download the official complete Theory Syllabus.
Click here for a full selection of past papers from the ABRSM.
Music Theory Exams UK 2006 Statistics
| Grade | Pass | Merit | Distinction | Fail | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 909 |
2,116 |
4,512 |
255 |
7,792 |
| 2 | 478 |
1,269 |
3,317 |
73 |
5,137 |
| 3 | 1,330 |
1,714 |
1,523 |
570 |
5,137 |
| 4 | 660 |
974 |
867 |
138 |
2,639 |
| 5 | 8,543 |
6,777 |
3,122 |
3,405 |
21,847 |
| 6 | 377 |
159 |
57 |
209 |
802 |
| 7 | 94 |
46 |
15 |
26 |
181 |
| 8 | 119 |
59 |
18 |
77 |
273 |
43,808 |
